Going to work for politician hurt Tea Party's credibility

In response to Gary DeBiase [“Criticism of Tea Party head’s job with Oddo is off the mark,” Your Opinion, April 3]:

The issue with Frank Santarpia working for Councilman James Oddo while heading the Staten Island Tea Party had nothing to do with health care; to make that claim, sir, is disingenuous.

His post with Oddo has everything to do with having one foot in the political arena and one foot in the watchdog arena. He can’t split in two; hence, sooner or later he would have to make a decision and we all know that political aspiration has long been known to usurp independent thinking ever since man has stood erect.

It is quite naive, on your part, to believe that Mr. Oddo demonstrated bravery in hiring Mr. Santarpia. What he demonstrated was cunning. He knows full well that having Mr. Santarpia on his payroll guarantees him Tea Party backing. If not in reality, then in perception.

That said, no one wishes to disparage Mr. Santarpia. He’s a wonderful American, a talented writer and I’m certain he will bring much needed value to the Oddo team. But he does so at a great expense. And the coin of the realm is Tea Party credibility.